Hardeeville Catfish Festival receives funding support

Hardeeville’s annual Catfish Festival funding received a second chance after the accommodations tax committee reconsidered its request.

At the special 10 a.m. Tuesday meeting called by chairman Thornton Butler, Bill Stanley of the Marine Rescue Squadron presented a new budget of $12,000.

Accommodation tax funds are supposed to be used for events that draw tourists to an event or area. The annual Catfish Festival, held in September, is Hardeeville’s largest festival and has other activities associated with it.

The 7-member accommodations tax committee is appointed by City Council. Cindi Williams of Holiday Inn Express, Justin Patel of Sleep Inn and Days Inn, Deanne Spikes of the Cripple Crab, Gwen Mervin of Gwen & Franny’s, Rev. Marion Canfield of First Presbyterian Church, Butler of Butler’s Service Station and Joyce Rogers of all American Fireworks meet quarterly to discuss requests and then give recommendations to City Council on how funds should be spent.

Patel was not present for the meeting.

With members of the Catfish Festival present, including Matthew Clark, vice president of the event and president of the Greater Hardeeville Chamber of Commerce, support was evident at the special Tuesday meeting.

Canfield mentioned a high school friend of Greenwood had attended the festival with his family for several years which is why he supported the event.

“I felt that if we can draw in residents all the way from Greenwood, it was an event that I would vote in favor of,” Canfield said. “I feel that $12,000 is not enough, but I rather the Catfish Festival receive that much than nothing at all.”

City Manager Bob Nanni said the city along with the City Council has tried to keep Hardeeville moving in a positive direction and was concerned about taking away the largest community event.

“We need to support this festival because it is the best event we have,” Nanni said. “If we get to the point where we can’t support it, then what do we have? The city needs all the committees to work on moving Hardeeville in the right direction and the festival is a big part of that.”

The Catfish Festival is completely funded by the city and accommodations tax funds. The committee makes recommendations how the money should be spent, but City Council has the ultimate authority over the funds.

In April, Stanley presented the $15,000 Catifsh Festival funding request the committee. Although a motion was made to approve the request, no one seconded it and the motion died.

“I was floored when it didn’t move forward, but I regrouped and I’m asking for less money so hopefully it will be passed,” he said. “The festival has a lot to do with the community that brings in other areas to visit and shop and be a part of Hardeeville. It is also a part of the small town community’s heritage with it being something we’ve put together through volunteers for 40 years.”

The Catfish Festival is the only event requesting the funds totaling $21,000.

“There seems to be a situation that some members want to move funding away from the chamber,” Butler said. “But the funds are for tourism. We can’t have tourists without an event. That’s the problem. Some members think that it’s entirely for the motel industry and really it comes full circle. When we have an event, more people come in to stay and dine and then we receive more accommodations tax.”

Clark said that the purpose of the accommodations tax is to draw in tourism and it is not guaranteed people would stay in hotels or dine at restaurants while attending local events.

Because the Catfish Festival doesn’t charge admission it relies on city funds and accommodations tax. Stanley said through a percentage of the carnival rides and food sales along with the vendor fees, the Catfish Festival receives about an $8,000 profit.

“People want it bigger and better, but you can’t hear the band without paying the fiddler,” Stanley said. “It costs a lot to host, but what better way to draw in tourists and give back to the community other than the Catfish Festival.”